A draftsman is a qualified professional who converts designs, specifications and calculations from engineers and architects into detailed technical drawings used for construction, manufacturing and regulatory approval.
In building projects, drafting provides the detailed documentation needed to communicate how a proposed building or alteration is intended to be constructed and documented for the relevant approval or construction process.
What Does a Draftsman Do?
A draftsman’s work involves producing detailed technical drawings from design, engineering and project information.
Depending on the project, drafting can include residential and commercial drawings, CAD documentation, engineering drafting, council submission documentation, permit documentation and 3D modelling.
For residential projects, this can include documentation for:
- New homes
- Renovations
- House extensions
- Other residential building work
Draftsman in Building Projects
A draftsman sits within a broader building and design process.
The drawings may need to communicate information from different parts of a project, including architectural design, engineering information and regulatory requirements.
This is why drafting should not be treated simply as producing drawings. The documentation needs to represent the information required for its intended use, whether that is communicating a design, supporting a council submission, preparing documentation for a permit or providing working drawings for construction.
The exact requirements depend on the project and its approval or construction context.
Kyle Standing’s Perspective on Drafting
Kyle Standing’s background combines civil engineering and residential drafting. He is a Perth-based draftsman and civil engineer, with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil), First-Class Honours, a Certificate IV in Residential Drafting, and previous engineering experience with the City of Wanneroo.
That background is relevant to the way drafting is positioned within Perth Drafting Service: drafting, design, engineering information and building documentation are treated as connected parts of a project rather than isolated activities.
Drafting and Building Documentation
Drafting can support different stages and requirements of a building project.
Perth Drafting Service’s documented drafting work includes:
- Residential drafting — plans for new homes, renovations and extensions.
- Commercial drafting — documentation for retail, office fit-outs and commercial developments.
- CAD services — detailed computer-aided design drawings.
- Engineering drafting — technical drawings coordinated with architectural plans.
- Council submission and permit documentation — preparation of drawings and documentation for approval processes.
- 3D modelling — three-dimensional project visualisation.
Related Terms
Drafting is closely connected with several terms used throughout the building and approval process:
- Building Designer
- Building Permit
- Development Application
- R-Codes
- National Construction Code (NCC)
- Building Surveyor
Drafting Services in Perth
Perth Drafting Service provides drafting and design services across Perth and selected areas of Western Australia.
Kyle Standing is the founder of Perth Drafting Service and a Perth-based draftsman and civil engineer.